Dortmund on hunt for new striker to replace Erling Haaland with forward set for summer move to Man City or Real Madrid
BORUSSIA DORTMUND have confirmed they are on the look-out for a new striker with Erling Haaland poised to leave this summer.
Manchester City and Real Madrid are leading the chase for the Norwegian hitman who has a £64million release clause in his contract.
Dortmund have not given up hope of persuading their 21-year-old superstar to stay and are ready to give him all the time he needs to make a decision.
Madrid would prefer him to stay with his current club for another season – before joining them next summer but City are happy to do business this summer.
Dortmund’s head of first team football Sebastian Kehl said there are no deadlines set – but that the hunt is under way for a new target man.
Former Germany international Kehl said: “We hope that we will make progress in the discussions that we are having internally about bringing in a forward.
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“That is important for our planning.”
The sharpshooter has scored an unbelievable 80 goals in 81 games for the Bundesliga side giants, who are desperate to retain his services.
If he does move to the Spanish capital, Madrid icon Guti says that the arrival of Haaland would help his old club to manage the minutes of veteran forward Karim Benzema.
The former midfielder added: “Benzema is great but look at the age he is.
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“Hopefully he can hold out longer, but he’s his age and if you can spare him in games and use Haaland instead, all the better.”
They will try and hold off Man City, who are reportedly ready to make the Dortmund man the highest-paid player in the Premier League.
City are believed to have put together a salary in excess of £500,000-a week.